I want to congratulate Philip “Opie” Kirby and all his staff at Finnigan’s Wake Irish Pub & Kitchen. Today, Wednesday, October 5, 2016 marks the 10th anniversary of their opening.

I would venture to say that I’d have no traction as a podcaster, food blogger or have any kind of downtown presence if it weren’t for Fin’s. It was a bar that I frequented a lot before I started hanging out in other bars and locations. It was and still is “my stomping grounds.” I did the “90-Day Club” and my name is on the wall in red. You have to look hard to see it, but I promise you, it’s there. In fact, I was the second one to ever do the 90DC and for about three years, I held the record for most consecutive days in a row at 1099 (3 years and two days).

I’m still known as “Trivia Tim” there, even though I’ve not asked a trivia question in almost a year. I’d not be doing my podcasts without Fins. Why you ask? The podcast network wouldn’t be happening if it weren’t for The Less Desirables and The Less Desirables was hatched sitting at the table right next to the hallway by the kitchen in 2009. All the planning for it happened there and many subsequent TLD business meetings happened in Fins.

I met one of my future (and current) business partners there, Jon Lowder, so in essence, Fins is also somewhat the birthplace of The Beer Dads. We have our annual “TLD Network post holiday party” at Fins, I believe we’ve decided on the beginning of February to be the normal timeframe.

But, of course, the most important event that ever happened to me because of Fins is, that’s where I met my wife and life partner, Stephanie. She was there with friends playing trivia and I wouldn’t leave her alone, really. When we got married, we got married on a Tuesday because trivia is on Tuesdays, hence, we met on a Tuesday. That was almost 7 years ago.

Finnigan’s, in my opinion is THE reason that the downtown revitalization has been successful. There were a few other bars/restaurants downtown, but until Finnigan’s opened in 2006, downtown was still a place you barely dared to venture after 5pm. Trade Street had a horrible, but well deserved, reputation of prostitution, crime and other dastardly deeds, but the arrival of “The Wake” brought crowds, customers and friends to the area and now, it’s one of the most important areas downtown, in the whole city, I’d say.

Finnigan’s Wake will be having an anniversary party this Friday, October 7.  There will be a special menu of 10 items for $10 dollars, which will included Irish favorites like; Guinness Battered Fish and Chips, Bangers and Mash, Shepherd’s Pie, and more. What’s an Irish party without a  pint Guinness? Well, it’s not a party, then. So, there will be $2 pints and $5 Irish Carbombs all evening. There will be entertainment and a lot of past employees, customer favorites, indeed, that are going to show to join in the celebration. They want you to be there to help them celebrate, as well.

So, again, congrats to you, Opie and all your staff, past and present, for the anniversary and thank you for being so important to me and my life.